Chapter Twelve
Stone
Graduation day dawned sunny and bright without a single cloud in the sky. The calm, balmy weather matched my mood because my lifelong dream was about to be realized.
Today, I would officially become a U.S. Marine.
Our wake-up call was a little later than usual, which I was glad of, because, after the ceremony, I had to pack my ruck, get on my bike, and begin the long ride home. After the platoon had wolfed down breakfast, we’d been marched back to the dorm, then cleaned, polished, and ironed our uniforms until every piece of brass gleamed and every inch of cloth was crease-free.
The inside of my stomach resembled a swarm of bees by the time we were eventually marched outside to the courtyard. There, we were about to go through our final drill and be spoken to by our commander before marching to the area where our families and friends were waiting to watch us graduate.
The air was thick with nervous determination as we halted and awaited further instruction. Then, as Mendez bellowed orders, we showed our superior every maneuver the drill instructors had drummed into us.
The sounds of boots crashing onto the ground in unison and the clatter of metal filled the air as we turned, marched, and halted before showing off how quickly and confidently we could handle our firearms.
My chest swelled when I remembered how the commands we’d struggled with just weeks ago were now second nature. One after the other, the platoons moved together perfectly, as demonstrated by our commander’s nod of approval as we came to the end of the drill.
I stood to attention, eyes forward, as he walked down the line, studying our uniforms for imperfections while asking my brethren questions.
He stopped in front of Isaiah. “Name?”
“Sir. Recruit Jones, Sir,” my bud barked.
The commander jerked a nod. “What’s been the toughest thing about Marine training, Private Jones?”
“Climbing the mountain, Sir,” Isaiah replied.
The Commander’s lips twitched. “They don’t call it Motherfucker for nothing, Jones.” He walked on, halting when he came to a stop in front of me. “Name?”
Keeping my eyes fixed straight ahead, I barked, “Sir. Recruit Stone, Sir.”
His blue eyes flicked over my uniform. “What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned in Marine training, Stone?”
“Teamwork, Sir. And how to rely on my officers and fellow Marines,” I replied stoically.
“Never forget it, Stone. It might save your life one day.”
“Sir. Yes, Sir,” I yelled.
With a nod, the Commander turned to address our drill instructor. “Thank you to you and your team for all your hard work, Sergeant Mendez. You’ve trained these recruits to an excellent standard.”
Mendez saluted, then turned toward the other drill instructors, who were all standing to attention. “Make these men official Marines,” he ordered.
The drill instructors began to walk down the lines, handing every man a small metal object. Morley approached us, giving Isaiah his insignia before moving on to me.
“Congratulations, Private Stone,” he muttered, placing the small eagle, globe, and anchor emblem onto my palm before moving on.
I closed my fingers over the cold, hard metal, my chest swelling with pride as Morley shouted the command for us to turn, before ordering us to march in formation toward the area where we’d formally graduate in front of our friends and families.
Drums beat loudly, cymbals crashed, and the Marine Band”s trumpets joined in, playing Semper Fidelis. Then, we set off for graduation.
As I marched alongside my fellow Marines, the weight of accomplishment settled on my shoulders. The crisp morning air filled my lungs with a sense of achievement. I couldn’t help feeling a little choked up by the knowledge that somewhere during the thirteen weeks, I’d transformed from a clueless small-town boy into a United States Marine.
Every man around me had endured months of exhaustion, hardship, and pain because of their stubborn determination to defend our country. I may have been through hell, but I’d also forged bonds that would stay with me for a lifetime and formed brotherhoods that meant I’d never be alone while I was a Marine.
It was something extraordinary.
Something all for me.
And I did it without the club.
Over the next hour, all the graduating platoons marched out for the ceremony.
The Commander came out with a microphone and turned toward the audience sitting in the bleachers, watching the parade. After thanking everybody for being there, he praised the drill instructors for their hard work and dedication before saying, “Ladies and gentlemen, please excuse me as I address our Marines one last time as their Battalion Commander.” He turned his back to the audience, instead facing us. “Good morning, Marines,” he began.
“Good morning, Sir,” we bellowed, putting on a show for our families and sidestepping to the left. “Ooh, rah!”
Loud claps and shouts came from the audience.
For the next half-hour, we stood, listening to our commander talk about our achievements, his tone laced with pride.
It took me back to my first day, standing on the yellow boot prints with a stomach filled with nerves and a heart aching for home as the Commander talked about how we’d all transformed, not just physically but mentally, too. He was right. Twelve weeks ago, all I knew was Hambleton and the Speed Demons. The world had opened up for me, and I’d discovered there was more for me to learn and that I could overcome any challenge thrown at me.
As the graduation ceremony continued, I couldn’t help scanning the crowded bleachers, searching for a flash of blonde hair through the sea of people. Suddenly, my eyes landed on her—standing at the far end next to Mom, her eyes fixed on me with a mixture of pride and love that warmed my insides.
Elise had been my rock throughout this journey, and her constant flow of letters kept me going when all I wanted to do was give up. I owed her everything, and I vowed to myself that one day, I’d fill her life with love because she deserved everything good.
Eventually, my commander wrapped up his speech.
I pulled my shoulders back a little straighter as he bellowed his final order to us. “Alpha platoon. Dismissed!”
“Yes, Sir. Thank you, Sir. Alpha platoon out! Ooh rah!” We all took one step to the right, hooked one foot back, and swiveled in the opposite direction before we all fell out of formation.
Roars went up from the crowd, and the air was filled with hollers and claps. The sound made so much raw emotion fill my chest, that my throat tightened with all the feelings coursing through me.
I’d succeeded. I was a United States Marine.
“We did it, Stone!” Isaiah came in for a man hug, his biceps squeezing me tight.
I clapped him hard on the back. “We did, dude. Couldn’t have done it without ya.”
“Ditto.” He pulled back and nodded toward the bleachers. “Let’s go see our girls.”
I nodded, a smile tugging at the corners of my mouth as we pushed through the sea of uniforms. The cheers and shouts of congratulations from my platoon seemed to fade all around me as I focused on finding Elise among the crowd.
Suddenly, she was there, neck craning, trying to spot me. Her green eyes locked with mine, and her face lit up as she began to run toward me.
I went on the back foot as she leaped at me, catching her in my arms and holding her tight. “Baby,” I whispered into her neck, inhaling her familiar scent until it settled around my heart.
“I’m so proud of you,” she breathed, her tone filled with emotion. “You looked amazing out there, John, so handsome. I knew you’d do it.”
Holding her tighter, I pulled back slightly and kissed her forehead. “I wouldn’t be here without you. Thank you for standing by me, Leesy. Thank you for making everything so easy.” I caught a flash of blue from the corner of my eye as a hand rested on my shoulder.
“Congratulations, Son,” Mom murmured from beside me. “I’m so proud of you.”
I released Leesy and turned to Mom, gathering her in my arms for a tight hug. “Thanks for being here, Ma. And thanks for bringing my girl.”
She pulled back and reached up to stroke my cheek. “I wouldn’t miss it for the world, and neither would Elise.” She held up a small video camera with her other hand. “Dad bought me this so I could record it all for him. He can’t wait for you to get home. The silly old man’s invited Abe and Iris around for dinner this week for a watch party.”
I deadpanned. “That’s what Dad tells you. It’s more likely he’s invited Abe round to get drunk and talk about guns and shooting shit up.” I let Mom go and slid an arm across Leesy’s shoulder. “Gotta admit, though. Can’t wait to get on my bike and ride home. I’ve missed it.”
“Take a coat and scarf,” Mom instructed me. “It’s warm here, but it’s cooler in Hambleton.” Her eyes lifted over my shoulder, and she smiled. “Isaiah! Congratulations.”
Glancing over my shoulder, I watched my bud approach, holding the hand of a tall, pretty woman. “You must be Bianca.” Keeping Elise tucked under one arm, I extended my other hand.
“Hi,” she murmured, taking my fingers in hers. “Isaiah’s told me a lot about you.”
“Bianca’s staying in the same hotel as us,” Elise told me. “Your mom suggested we go to dinner tonight.”
“We’re not flying out until tomorrow,” Isaiah explained. “Dinner sounds good.”
“I was gonna set off for home tonight,” I told him. “It’ll take me a couple of days to ride back to Wyoming. I wanna get home ASAP so I can make the most of the time I have with my girl before I head off to the School of Infantry.”
“But John,” Leesy protested. “I was looking forward to spending some time with you. It’s been so long.”
I dipped my chin to catch my girl’s eyes. “You want me to stay until after dinner?”
“No,” she said, jutting her chin up. “I want you to stay until tomorrow morning. We’ve already arranged it. Your mom will sleep with me in my room, and you can sleep in hers.”
My lips twitched because I wouldn’t have minded staying if I could bunk down with Elise, but the thought of getting on my bike and feeling some freedom for the first time in three months made my gut tug. “Nah, baby. I’m gonna head back tonight. I need to ride. My body’s having withdrawal symptoms.”
Elise paled slightly, her eyes shuttering.
“John,” Mom interjected. “Elise has come all this way to spend time with you.”
I waved her off, taking Leesy’s hand in mine. “My girl doesn’t mind. She understands how I need to ride. It’s one of the reasons I asked her to be my ol’ lady.” Elise let out a tiny squeak as I tugged her into my body and kissed the top of her head. “How about I go back to the dorm, get my shit, and we head out? We can spend a few hours together before I jet.”
“John—” Elise began, but I cut her off by taking her face in my hands and kissing her softly.
“I need this, Leesy,” I murmured, my eyes darting between hers. “I haven’t done it for months. Ya know I need to ride free.”
“Right,” Elise said flatly. “Don’t worry about dinner.” She turned to Mom. “I’ll meet you at the hotel.” Then, after saying goodbye to Isaiah and Bianca, she gave me her back and walked away.
Mom’s stare slashed toward me; her eyes already narrowed angrily. “You idiot,” she chided, pulling a hand back and slapping me upside the head.
I jerked away from her, rubbing the back of my skull. “Ma! What the fuck?”
She pointed a finger toward a retreating Elise. “Go after her and apologize.”
“What’d I do?” I argued.
Isaiah’s eyes bugged out. “Fool. She’s flown here to see you, waited nearly a week between visits, and then you say you’d rather spend time on your bike than with her.” He shook his head frustratedly. “You’re a dick.”
I clasped the back of my neck. “Shit.”
“Yes,” Mom retorted. “You are. Now go and make it right.”
Heart sinking, I turned in the same direction Elise was headed for and stalked after her. “Hold up, Leesy,” I called out, but she kept her back to me and carried on walking.
The weight of my words settled heavily inside my chest. I wasn’t thinking when I told Leesy I wanted to ride. I was a biker at heart, so being off the road for so long had almost crippled me.
I could’ve been more diplomatic, though. I should’ve thought before I spoke. If the boot was on the other foot, I’d have been pissed too. Elise had proven her strength by sticking by me, but she was still sensitive and deserved more care. The problem was, being here amongst bantering men and getting bellowed at daily didn’t cultivate much sensitivity in me.
I sped up when I saw she was heading toward the road leading to the main gate. “Duchess, wait!” I shouted in a strained voice. “Jesus, woman.”
Her steps faltered, but she didn’t turn around.
“Baby. I’m sorry,” I called out, catching up to her.
Finally, she turned to face me. “Go ride your bike, John,” she said, voice flat with resignation. “I’ll catch up with you back in Hambleton.”
“I’m sorry,” I reiterated. “I didn’t think.”
She smiled sadly. “It’s the opposite for me. All I ever think about is you. Your dreams, your needs, and your feelings. Shame it’s not reciprocated.”
“Okay. I’ll stick around,” I acquiesced. “We’ll spend some time together.”
She slashed an angry hand through the air. “Don’t do me any favors. I’ll try to change my flight and go home tonight. I wouldn’t want to put you out.”
My forehead furrowed. This wasn’t like my girl. Elise was the most understanding person in the damned world. She never got upset about this kind of thing, and she’d never gotten angry and flounced off.
“Leesy,” I retorted. “I said I’m sorry. What the fuck do you want from me?”
“Nothing,” she whispered. “I hope you and your bike are happy. Maybe your ride will write you letters every day and worry day and night about what you’re doing and if you’re safe.”
My head reared back, eyes rounding. “Jesus. What’s got into you?”
“I’m pissed, John,” she screeched. “All I’ve done for the last three months is count down the days until I’ll see you again, and all you wanna do is go off and ride your bike.”
My gut dropped.
“You’re taking me for granted,” she announced, folding her arms across her chest. “And I don’t like it. I love you, John, but I won’t stand being treated with disrespect.”
I scraped a hand down my face.
“I want you to do whatever makes you happy, even if it means leaving for months at a time,” she continued. “I’ve told you I’ll support your military career, and I meant it, but during the times we can be together, I want us to make the most of it. If riding’s your priority instead of me, then why the hell am I prioritizing you?”
My face heated. I could’ve kicked myself. Elise had hit the nail on the head; I’d been selfish, and I hadn’t taken her feelings into account. “I never thought of it like that. I’ve been cooped up for so long that I need to blow the cobwebs away. The best way to do that is to ride, but I get what you’re saying, and you’re right. I really am sorry, Elise. I’m ashamed I even considered it now.”
Her eyes softened as she studied me. “If you want to ride tonight, do it, but at least stay for dinner.”
I gathered her in my arms. “You know I can cover more ground at night. I’ll probably get to Vegas by the time I need to stop and rest. If I time things right, I reckon I can be home by late tomorrow night. The more time I get with you, the better.”
“You still need to sleep, John,” she argued, pulling back from me.
I gazed down at her. “I can go days without any shut-eye now. Boot camp drilled it into me.”
“It bodes well for me.” She bit her lip sexily. “I dream about you keeping me awake at night. And talking about drilling—”
“Baby,” I groaned. “Can’t fucking wait to get you under me again. Twelve weeks in that place, and I couldn’t get much privacy, if you know what I mean.” I waggled my eyebrows suggestively. “Not much chance of taking things in hand when you’re surrounded by fifty hairy-assed soldiers.”
“Well, I guess we know what you’ll be doing on your first stop-off.” Her cheeks flushed slightly.
I smirked because that blush showed me that although she could participate in sexy banter, she was still the same shy girl underneath. “If I don’t, I won’t last long when I finally get my hands on you.”
Elise’s breath hitched, her eyes darkening with need as I pulled her body against mine for a second time. Her mouth curved into a sexy little smirk—probably because she could feel the effect she had on my body.
The air around us thickened with excitement and longing. It had been so long since I dared think about sex because of the environment I’d been living in. I’d taken my frustrations out on the assault course because I couldn’t relieve my pent-up frustrations the way I usually would.
The mere thought of being with my girl again after so long made my cock harden painfully, but there’d be plenty of time for that over the next ten days.
“Shall we go back?” I asked in a rough voice. “I’ll get my stuff and spend the rest of the day with you and Mom before I ride.”
She reached up and touched my face, her touch sending a shiver down my spine. “I missed you every moment you were gone.”
Time stood still, and without another word, I bent my neck, capturing her soft lips in a searing kiss that rocked me to my core.
My heart soared as my mouth moved on hers, rough with possession, and I knew that in every fiber of my being, she was mine, heart and soul.